Russian Lives: Interview with Misha Friedman

Pulitzer Center grantee Misha Friedman is interviewed about his ongoing project "Official Homophobia in Russia." by Roads and Kingdoms, an independent journal of food, politics, travel and culture. The project is a photographic documentary about how being gay in Russia can be dangerous.

Although homosexuality was decriminalized in Russia more than 20 years ago, there still is a lack of public tolerance. Hate crimes are now on the rise, attributed in part to a recent amendment to Russia’s child protection law that criminalizes what it calls “propaganda of non-traditional sexual relations among minors.” Its ambiguity and selective use effectively make it illegal for any kind of gay event to take place or to even mention acceptance of homosexuality in public.

In his interview with Pauline Eiferman, director of photography for Roads and Kingdoms, Friedman discusses his work with the LGBT community as well as his book documenting the lives of a couple who he has been photographing for the past three years.